Michelle Rebelsky, MD, 59, of Grinnell, passed away Oct. 8, 2024, at UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Medical Center.
A funeral mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 11, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell. A private family burial was held Saturday, Oct. 12, at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.
In lieu of flowers, Michelle requested gifts to causes that support women’s health or the less fortunate. Gifts to MICA, the Grinnell High School Care Closet, or the Iowa Kitchen would be particularly appropriate for the latter. Memorial cards may be mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Michelle Marie Steele Rebelsky, MD, MBA, FAAFP was born Dec. 3, 1964, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Lloyd and Kathleen (Koenig) Steele. After five years on the west side of Chicago, she grew up in Oak Park, IL. After high school at Trinity High School, Michelle attended college at the University of Chicago, medical school at the University of Illinois Chicago, residency at the Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice Residency, and business school at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She was also a designated Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society.
Michelle was united in marriage to Samuel Alexander Rebelsky on Aug. 29, 1987. They were blessed with three sons William, Jonathan, and Daniel. Michelle and Sam moved to Grinnell in 1997 and soon settled into their new household on Main Street.
For most of her professional life, Michelle was a family physician in Grinnell, where she was the first female family physician. She also served many related positions in Grinnell and statewide. She was proudest of her work bringing new life into the world; delivering babies brought her joy. She was also proud of changes in medicine she wrought throughout her time at Grinnell. As a family physician, she provided care that addressed not only the physical but also the psychosocial issues of her patients.
Before starting medical school, Michelle worked on the human genome project in the laboratory of Janet Rowley. During residency, she conducted and published research on preventative care; she continued to incorporate work on preventative care throughout her career. A poem she wrote about practicing medicine was published in textbooks and journals around the world.
Beyond her professional life, which was integral to who she was, Michelle enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, whether sitting on a beach, playing a card or board game, discussing books, preparing and eating a meal, or listening to music (particularly music performed by her children).
Michelle had a strong faith and embraced life in the Church. Beyond feeling the love of God, she valued careful discussion about scripture and the catechism. She served as a teacher in St. Marys Religious Education Program and accompanied students to the National Catholic Youth Conference.
Michelle is survived by her husband, Samuel, of Grinnell; sons, William, Jonathan, and Daniel, all of Grinnell; and her brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Sandra (Czekaj) Steele, of Hobart, IN. Michelle was preceded in death by her parents.
